Top Client Problems in Traditional Software Development

Several common challenges and obstacles are associated with conservative software development methods that can -- and often do -- contribute to unnecessary project delays and overspending. These include the following:

• Wasted Budgets
  
  • During traditional software development, companies often spend significant portions of their budgets (up to 64%) on developing features that are rarely or never needed by real users.

  

• High Cost of Change
• Traditional software development approaches are accompanied by long change cycles fueled by complicated change management procedures. This too consumes significant time and money for the project at hand.
• Unproductive Task Prioritization
• Disconnects between business and technical teams are common, since engineers usually establish general technical frameworks first and only then, implement system features needed by the business second. This can create delays and lost opportunities to observe and use system features before undergoing user acceptance testing.

• Lack of Project Transparency
• While those overseeing software development projects are often inundated with numerous status reports, frequently they have little to no insight into real progress as it relates to working software features and functionality.
• Management Bottlenecks
• Traditional software development projects require rigorous approvals. Unfortunately, the more top management or C-suite layers that must weigh in, the longer it takes to obtain sign-off, which translates directly into project delays.
• High Systems Complexity and Batch Delays
• In traditional software development, systems are defined, planned and designed as one complex entity. This complicates the process of developing separate features, blocks quick implementation and makes further changes extremely expensive. Furthermore, batch delays can also occur, as systems features are implemented before all preliminary stages are completed.

Today’s competitive enterprises are now recognizing that traditional software development methods don’t always deliver the most desired returns. While many companies are able to experience positive outcomes using traditional approaches, the evolution of their business needs, talent skill sets, and other factors make Agile a wiser choice for a faster and more significant return on investment.